The Last Will and Testament
of
Henry Fretton  -  1788

I Henry Fretton of the Stanford le Hope in the County of Essex Farmer made published and declared the second day of June in the twenty eighth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third by the grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the faith and so forth and so forth and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight

First I give and bequeath unto my brother James Fretton of Rochford in the said County of Essex Labourer the sum of one hundred pounds of lawful money of Great Britain

Also I give and bequeath unto my nephews James Fretton Henry Fretton and John Fretton the sons of my brother James Fretton the twenty pounds apiece of like money

Also I give and bequeath unto my nephew John Fretton son of my brother Thomas Fretton the ten pounds apiece of like money

And unto his sister Ann Chapman wife of Thomas Chapman of Horndon on the Hill in the said County of Essex Husbandman the like sum of ten pounds

All which legacees I do hereby direct to be paid in twelve months next after my decease

And whereas my brother in Law John Jeffries of Stanford le Hope aforesaid Farmer is indebted to me in the sum of twenty six pounds six shillings and six pence now I do hereby direct that the note or memorandum given me by him for the same shall be delivered up to be cancelled

Also I give and bequeath unto my sister Elizabeth Jeffries wife of the said John Jeffries the further sum of twenty three pounds thirteen shillings and six pence which with the said sum of twenty six pounds six pounds and six pence makes up the sum of fifty pounds

Also I give and bequeath all the rest and residue of my ready money securities for money debts stock upon my farms horses cattle sheep hogs corn grain hay seeds utensils and implements in husbandry plate linnen (sic) china goods chattles rights credits estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever unto and to the use of my dear wife Ann Fretton her executors administrators and assigns for ever

And I do hereby nominate and appoint my said wife Ann Fretton sole executrix of this my Will hereby revoking and making void all former Wills by me made In Witness whereof I the said Henry Fretton the testator have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written
The mark X Henry Fretton

Signed sealed published and delivered by the said testator as and for his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us
Jn Hatflate
John Bray
Jn Evans

Proved on the twenty seventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight before the Reverend John Morgan Clerk Surrogate and by the oath of Ann Fretton widow the relict of the deceased and sole executrix to whom administration was granted she being first sworn duly to administer.

Wills at the Essex Record Office Chelmsford :-
Ref : 1788 Fretton, Hen., farmer, Stanford-le-Hope 127/ER/35

Acknowledgement to the Essex Record Office

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